FROM THE CROWE’S NEST

Gonzo Management

Lobster fishing has been pretty good — in Maine. That’s the good news. Some forced volunteer labor for mandatory landings reporting is on the way. That’s the not so good news. The bad news with some good news within it is that groundfish management has found itself up that muddyish creek without a paddle. But, at least they have had to say to all those on shore watching, that they indeed steered the course.

A lot of lobster fishermen question what more will be gained from increased data collecting that a likely new regulation will require. The other lobster producing states already have, and have had, mandatory reporting. Aren’t these the same states where the lobster landings are way down? This begs the data question, “Is there any correlation between states where the lobster fishery has tanked and those with mandatory reporting?”

Data in and of itself will not protect the fishery or anything else for that matter. Assuming it is valuable data, who uses it and how it is used will make the difference between no results, a mucked up fishery or one that is strengthened by it. Maine has the lobster scientists who can make productive use of good data.

New England has seen all the gonzo fishery management it can stand since the Sustainable Fisheries Act was passed. With government management comes politics. With politics comes a set of priorities that are apart from the supposed goals set for what is being managed. Any plan that is developed to manage any of the fisheries will have a political component. The consequences for management of a failed management plan is having to rename policies. The consequences of a failed management plan for fishermen is having to refinance the boat, house and truck and or learn the names of people in the new neighborhood.

Lobster and groundfish fisheries are about to have changes made in management policy. If management can take something from failed policies here and elsewhere and fishermen can find a means of getting a foothold in the development of plans, maybe both can avoid another gonzo management scheme.